Tennis

Osaka's coach, Bajin, wins 1st WTA Coach of the Year award

Published Dec. 10, 2018 2:20 p.m. ET

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Sascha Bajin has been chosen as the first winner of the WTA Coach of the Year award after helping Naomi Osaka collect the U.S. Open title.

The women's tennis tour announced its annual honors Monday.

The first season as a team for Bajin and Osaka produced her first WTA title at Indian Wells, then her first Grand Slam title in New York, where she beat Serena Williams in the final. Bajin used to work with Williams.

Bajin tweeted that he was "speechless and turning a bit red," adding that it's "easy to be a good coach when you have a great student."

Petra Kvitova was given her sixth consecutive sportsmanship award and seventh overall, while Bethanie Mattek-Sands earned the player service award.

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